Pakistani PM expresses grief over the death of UN peacekeepers in a helicopter crash

 Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic loss of six soldiers of the Pakistani Army in a helicopter crash.

The helicopter crashed during a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) on Tuesday.

The prime minister also paid homage to the services of the Pakistani Armed Forces for maintaining peace in the world, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to the army’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the PUMA helicopter crashed while undertaking a reconnaissance mission, claiming the lives of eight UN peacekeepers on board, including six Pakistani officers and soldiers.

Pakistan has always played a pivotal role as a responsible member of the international community to help realise ideals of global peace and security through active participation in various UN peacekeeping missions, the ISPR said in a statement.

“Our Peacekeepers have always distinguished themselves in executing challenging peacekeeping tasks in conflict-prone areas through devotion and if necessary, rendering supreme sacrifices,” the statement added. (Xinhua/NAN)